Premises Licence holders are being warned to watch out for scammers taking advantage of the annual fee which is due each year for these licences.
North Kesteven District Council’s Licensing Team is aware of a scam taking place nationally, in which fraudsters are contacting Premises Licence holders to try and take money from them.
The scammers are telling Premises Licence holders that their licence has expired and that a renewal payment is required. Their aim is to cause confusion with the legitimate annual fee which needs to be paid to the Council by Premises Licence holders, on the anniversary date of the initial Premises Licence issue.
North Kesteven District Council will never contact a licence holder to ask for direct payment over the phone. Licensees are advised, if they receive a call they believe to be fraudulent, not to make any payments over the phone to the caller.
Instead they should call the Council’s Licensing Team on 01529 308076 or email licensing@n-kesteven.gov.uk to report the call and get advice on how to pay.
The Council usually writes by letter to licence holders four weeks prior to the due date for payment. Both the initial letter and any reminders carry details on how licence holders can contact the Council to make payment through the proper channels for this with the Council.
Even through any follow-up reminders, money would never be taken or requested by phone call. If a payment is late or, for example, an address has been changed and the Licensing Team has not been informed the Council’s Licensing Team might contact you by phone to investigate but will not ask for payment over the phone.
See the Council’s licensing pages of its website for more information for licence holders. See also its news webpages for information on extended licensing hours which have been announced for May 8 in celebration of the 80th anniversary of VE Day.